Jetsettersblog

In Language Learning With New Mp3 Formats And Discounts

Speaking the local language can make all the difference to a holiday. To celebrate 108 years of providing self-study language courses to millions of people worldwide, Linguaphone, a world-leading provider of language courses relaunched their UK website at www.linguaphone.co.uk

Perfect for the next holiday abroad, new MP3 download formats of their most popular holiday-style language courses are available, along with a 35% discount on their wide range of self-study language courses.

Linguaphone, part of the Linguaphone Group was established in 1901 by Jacques Roston. Since then, Linguaphone has continued to lead the global language training market with millions of people worldwide successfully learning a new foreign language using their proven methodology ‘Listen, Understand and Speak’.

Learning a new language and being able to communicate whilst abroad will help make the most out of their next trip. They will broaden their cultural horizons and it may even open up new career opportunities.

Today, Linguaphone UK offers a wide range of self-study language courses on both CDs and preloaded MP4 players. To celebrate their 108 year anniversary, Linguaphone’s most popular holiday-style language courses are now also available in MP3 download format so that customers can choose where and when to study – at the gym, on the way to work, or relaxing at home!

What’s more, for the coming month, customers will also benefit from a 35% discount on all of Linguaphone’s self-study language courses. So, whether they just want to learn a few phrases to blend in with the locals on their next holiday, or take their existing language skills to a more advanced level, customers will find a Linguaphone language course that’s right for them.

For more information, customers should visit www.linguaphone.co.uk  or call 0800 136 973

Linguaphone All Talk French: Levels 1 & 2A new entertaining way to learn French following a ‘soap’ story line. ‘All Talk’ is available in two levels or as a complete course on Compact Disc or Audio-Cassette. Individual levels contain a booklet and 8 tapes or Cd’s, the complete course has a booklet and 16 of either format. , Linguaphone All Talk French: Levels 1 & 2

As news of global car hire shortages flood the media, Sixt rent a car is announcing increases in vehicle availability and guarantees on vehicle quality throughout the UK and Europe.

For holiday makers looking for the best rental deals, Sixt offers the following handy hints:

1. Book online – most rental companies save their best value offers for online customers
2. Book well in advance – car hire companies operate similar systems to many airlines so travellers are already booking for Christmas and the winter season to get the best advance rates
3. Go direct – check individual car hire operators and not only brokers who won’t always have the best deals
4. Choose your priority – Look for ‘pre-paid’ offers for the lowest prices or ‘pay-on arrival’ for flexibility (good operators will offer both choices)

Ian Lawrence, managing director of Sixt UK, comments: “Many car hire companies have struggled in the current climate, facing difficulties with funding and struggling to update their fleet. Unfortunately this has resulted in heavy price increases for the customer and, even worse, ageing and second hand cars being offered.

“Sixt UK has always made a commitment to operate the latest models and cars no older than eight months. Our vehicle availability has remained high over the summer months across Europe and our domestic prices for September are actually declining. Despite high demand we pride ourselves on still delivering quality service and quality vehicles to all our customers.”

Sixt rent a car offers a first-class service with over 26,000 vehicles from more than 150 rental locations in the UK and in 3,500 locations across 90 countries.

According to Scotland’s The Herald, the councils of Glasgow and Edinburgh are joining forces with a coalition of 11 United Kingdom cities that have come together to lobby for a new U.K. high-speed rail line. The group is hoping to get funding of up to £35 billion to build a line between London and Scotland, despite differences over which route it would take.

For more information, visit www.cometoscotland.com

The first ‘World of Beer Festival’ to be held in Europe is taking place in the Alsace capital Strasbourg in October. The festival, a must for all beer drinking afficiados, is dedicated to traditional beers from around the world and there will be literally hundreds of different brews on show and for sampling during beer tasting competitions.

The Strasbourg event takes place between 16-18 October and is a development of the famous Montreal Mondial de la Biere which has been held in Canada for the past 16 years. The organisers claim that traditional beer brewing is making an extraordinary comeback and that Strasbourg as France’s Capital of Beer is the ideal place to hold this first European event. The region of Alsace as a whole is also well known for its beers and it is situated close to two big beer producing countries, Germany and Belgium.

In addition to the beer tasting competitions there will be exhibitions and demonstrations covering ingredients and brewing techniques as well as conference presentations for both the public and professionals.

UK visitors to the Mondial de la Biere might like a change of tipple after the exhibition and take a drive down Alsace’s pretty wine route to sample some of the region’s famous wines. The 170 kms route winds its way from north west of Strasbourg to Thann, south of Colmar, through the Alsace plain and the foothills of the Vosges Mountains. The October ‘vendange’ will be full swing and all along the route through pretty villages and past medieval castles, there are stop-offs for tastings at wineries.

And most of the villages along the way have small family run hotels offering a warm welcome and fine food.

Travelling to Alsace is very convenient. There are daily scheduled flights between London City airport and Strasbourg. Budget airlines service the region – EasyJet fly to Mulhouse-Basel-Freiburg airport and RyanAir to Karlsruhe in Germany which is 30 minutes drive from Strasbourg. Eurostar to Paris and then the TGV Est. high speed train link to Strasbourg, offers a fast a comfortable rail alternative.
.
For further information on the Mondial de la Biere in Strasbourg visit www.festivalmondialbiere.qc.ca  To discover more about the Alsace Wine route and other regional attractions Alsace visit www.tourism-alsace.com

“Not long ago, while traveling to China, travellers would choose International chain Hotels to ensure the quality of service and accommodation during their stay. Nowadays this custom is changing and guests are looking for an experience and more of a lifestyle when selecting hotels. This combined with the growing demand for personalized services, new Food & Beverage experiences and the development of new technologies has a direct impact on what Hotel G has to offer.” said the General Manager of Hotel G Beijing Mr. Alex Chakrabarti.

In terms of Food & Beverage, the new venue Scarlett Wine Bar & Restaurant boasts over 80 different labels of wines along with 20 different kinds of imported AOC cheeses, cold cuts, tapas and daily specials.

After opening its doors to the public four months ago, Scarlett has gained the recognition from Beijing expats and the hip Chinese crowd whom have made the venue their meeting place.

The fitness centre is located on the 6th floor featuring the latest Technogym equipment. Guests are not only able to use this state of the art equipment but can also be trained on-request by Olympic Games trainers, yoga instructors, and physic therapists.

Hotel G Beijing has also signed up with seven high profile designers to design their Greatest Room allowing the hotel to feature seven different rooms with a unique design approach. This category of rooms will be open to the public early 2010.

The 11th floor rooftop will be converted into an in and out door lounge space. With two meeting rooms, a bar counter, cigar lounge and terrace, the venue will enable corporate guests to organize meetings and conventions. The space will also be hosting photography and painting exhibitions in order to promote Chinese modern art. The lounge design and modularity will also be a perfect spot to organize product launches and private events.

About Hotel G Beijing:

The newly opened Hotel G Beijing is a stylish and exciting new addition to Beijing boutique hotel scene.

With a striking entrance and façade which transforms into an explosion of colored lights by night (hotel guests can actually select their own window lighting), the 110-room hotel is located in Gong Ti Xi Lu close to a host of popular eateries and nightspots in the City’s lively Sanlitun district.

A conversion of an existing building, Hotel G Beijing has been designed by talented British architect/designer Mark Lintott (www.mld.tw) who is well known for his daring and innovative interior design projects, notably of leading entertainment venues, in his adopted home in Taiwan.

The 1960’s inspired rooms and suites feature a casual blend of understated glamour and low-key opulence and contemporary Chinese touches. Amenities include high-speed wireless internet, iPod docking station and plasma TV with multi-national channels.

The spectacular white-sand beach of Vanuatu’s Champagne Bay has been voted the favourite port of call in the South Pacific by P&O Cruises’ passengers.

Fringed with palm trees, Champagne Bay’s picture-perfect beach is located on the northeast coastline of Espirito Santo, the largest of Vanuatu’s islands.

Offering an idyllic tropical escape and spectacular snorkelling, Champagne Bay was voted the top port in P&O Cruises’ 2008 onboard passenger survey narrowly edging out Fiji’s pristine Yasawa Island in second spot.

Meanwhile Vanuatu’s remote Mystery Island, which was voted the number one port for P&O Cruises’ passengers in 2007, ranked third and New Caledonia’s Isle of Pines came in fourth most popular.

Vanuatuan ports dominated the top five favourite ports of call for passengers in 2008, with the unspoilt island of Wala rounding out the top five ports of call.

Jenny Lourey, Senior Vice President of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said travellers could choose from more than 25 ports throughout the South Pacific visited by P&O Cruises’ ships during 2010.

“But Australians keen to visit our most popular ports to form their own opinions should book their 2010 South Pacific holidays now so they don’t miss out,” Ms Lourey said.

P&O Cruises latest superliner, Pacific Jewel, will visit top-ranking Champagne Bay four times during 2010 while Brisbane’s own superliner, Pacific Dawn, will visit the port twice.

Available cruises include an 11-night voyage onboard Pacific Jewel visiting Luganville, Wala, Vila and Champagne Bay in Vanuatu as well as Loyalty Island’s Lifou priced from AUD$1989 per person twin share.

Meanwhile, fares for an 11-night cruise onboard Pacific Dawn from Brisbane, visiting Champagne Bay, Wala, Vila and Mystery Island in Vanuatu as well as New Caledonia’s Noumea and Isle of Pines start from AUD$1909 per person twin share.

When she debuts in Sydney in December 2009, Pacific Jewel will feature an open air deck with aerial stage for circus and music performances, one of the largest spas at sea as well as a range of dining options, eight bars and lounges, two swimming pools, whirlpool spas, library and showlounge.

Based in Brisbane from December, Pacific Dawn features 11 decks with two swimming pools, a choice of five evening dining areas, nine bars and lounges, “The Dome” entertainment area, a two-storey show lounge and fitness centre.

For more information about P&O Cruises call 13 24 69 or visit www.pocruises.com.au

Situated on the waterfront of the Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo, Blue Sydney provides guests with the best Sydney has to offer.

Not only is it within walking distance of the CBD, the Sydney Opera House it is also adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens, providing a great spot for those early morning or leisurely walks along Sydney’s spectacular harbour.

Combining cutting edge interiors with the intimacy of a boutique hotel, Blue’s unique design had brought to life the historic Sydney wharves and created a hotel that is constantly updating to provide services and features to cater for its guests every desire.

With 100 guest rooms and undeniably chic Water Bar, Blue Sydney backs up its beauty with inspired food and service under the direction of Executive Chef Oswin Bosco Charles Riberio, serving a fusion of tastes and dishes to fit this sophisticated hotel’s discerning clientele.

BLUE Sydney has a newly appointed General Manager; Sanjay Umashankar. Sanjay was previously General Manager of the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, India. Sanjay managed the only 20th century palace in the world with its Maharajah in residence with Umaid Bhawan the place for many high profile, celebrity weddings, including the 2007 Liz Hurley-Arun Nayar marriage. Umaid Bhawan Palace was awarded the Best 5-star Deluxe Hotel by the Indian Ministry of Tourism for 2007- 2008.

In line with Blue Sydney’s philosophy of client service and style, special packages are always on offer providing visitors to Sydney and Sydneysiders opportunities to enjoy what Blue has to offer.

To enjoy your business stay, or simply a cocktail in Water Bar, a delicious breakfast in Blue cafe or overnight getaway or even a well-earned break, Blue Sydney always offer’s one very cool experience.

Tourism Wollongong has launched a Tourism Passport to encourage visitors and locals to experience the growing number of holiday attractions in Wollongong and along Grand Pacific Drive.

The free Tourism Passports are available from Tourism Wollongong at the stylish new Southern Gateway Centre at Bulli Tops and offer more than 40 discount coupons, including 25 per cent off spa treatments, 15 per cent off whale and dolphin watching cruises and 20 per cent off hang gliding flights.

Tourism Wollongong General Manager Greg Binskin said the handy, pocket-sized passports were valid to April 30 next year, enabling users to obtain hot value discounts right through the warmest months of the year.

“We expect the passports to be popular both with locals wanting to see more of their own backyard and visitors out to sample the growing range of attractions right along Grand Pacific Drive,” he said.

“Local tourism operators have really got behind the passport, and we’re looking forward to a great season of holiday and touring activity on the 140km route from Royal National Park in the north to Jervis Bay in the south.”

Further information about the Tourism Passport and the region is available at www.visitwollongong.com.au

Hotel Opening Brings New Levels Of Luxury And Design To West Coast

A new level of hotel luxury and environmentally sustainable design is now available on the West Coast of the South Island with Te Waonui Forest Retreat in Franz Josef opening its doors on September 1, 2009.

The $26 million 100 room hotel, which will be formally opened next year, is the 18th property in the New Zealand owned and operated Scenic Hotel Group. Brendan Taylor, Managing Director, says it has been a unique project for the company, which had its origins in Franz Josef 28 years ago when founders Earl Hagaman and the late Ralph Brown purchased their very first hotel.

“With our history and three other properties in the region, this part of the country has special meaning for us. Te Waonui Forest Retreat has given us the opportunity to build a property that bows to and complements the stunning environment it occupies while at the same time also delivering extraordinary comfort for our guests.”

The hotel was designed by Dalman Architecture of Christchurch and incorporates the highest levels of environmentally sustainable design.

It has been constructed largely from stained rough sawn cedar and plywood (all renewable resources and from environmental certified sources) with as much use as possible of local products such as any concrete aggregates and hard fill sourced from the nearby Waiho River.

The design also utilises as much natural light, heating and ventilation as possible with computerised control and monitoring of mechanical systems optimising energy management.

During the building process there has been minimal disruption to the surrounding native forest with a large stand of bush preserved in a central courtyard. The four guest wings surround the courtyard treating guests to views of the natural vegetation with trees of up to 20 metres in height and the sounds of local birdlife from every room.

The interior design also takes its inspirations from the local region featuring possum fur cushions, custom made wool carpets, natural fabrics, local art, and intriguing special effects such as the glow worm lighting in the downstairs Frond Bar. Executive chef Keith McPhee (formerly Wildfire, Sydney; Cin Cin on Quay, Orbit Restaurant and the Esplanade Hotel, Auckland and Shed 5, Wellington) is continuing the local experience by incorporating as much local cuisine as possible into the menus at the upstairs Canopy Restaurant.

For guests’ convenience there is a 24-hour reception with twin check-in facilities to cater for the differing needs of independent traveller and tour groups and a local activity desk.

To celebrate the opening of Te Waonui Forest Retreat there is a special offer of accommodation for two (share twin) including a full degustation menu dinner for two, full New Zealand breakfast for two and entry for two to the neighbouring Glacier Hot Pools for $675 per night. The same package is available on a single person basis for $575 per night.

The offer is available for stays until November 30.

For further details see www.scenichotelgroup.co.nz  or free phone 0800 723 642.

The Whitsundays, Queensland’s 74 island Great Barrier Reef playground, is buzzing with a new luxe resort, championship golf course on its own island, stylish sailing options and more.

Airlie Beach’s first full service five-star apartment resort, Peppers Coral Coast has now opened, with an opening special of $179 per night for a one-bedroom apartment.

Overlooking the Coral Sea, the resort offers beautifully-appointed one, two and three apartments, panoramic views, a stunning wet-edge resort pool, fine-dining restaurant and brand new Endota Day Spa.

The opening special is valid until November 30, 2009 and subject to availability. www.peppers.com.au/coral-coast

Two new multi-million dollar venues have been officially opened on Hamilton Island – the Hamilton Island Yacht Club and Golf Course. Golfers are teeing off on the Peter Thomson AO CBE-designed course, which has already been tipped to quickly gain a reputation as one of the best courses in the world.

The 6,083m, par 71 course sits on its own island, just a five minute ferry ride from Hamilton Island and features panoramic views of the Whitsundays from all 18 holes.

The yacht club, which is set to open its doors to members, was designed by renowned Australian architect Walter Barda alongside famed yachtsman, Iain Murray. Housed under an iconic starfish-shaped copper roof, the venue’s features include an indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar jutting over the marina, wellness facilities with high-tech gymnasium, indoor lap pool and saunas.

Thirty-five multi-million-dollar Hamilton Island Yacht Club Villas are currently being completed nearby. www.hamiltonisland.com.au

On nearby Long Island, the newest way to be pampered in the Endota Spa at Peppers Palm Bay is a rejuvenating Hot Stone/Warm Bamboo treatment.

The 90 minute experience includes a billabong footbath followed by a combination of kahuna hot stone therapy and a warm bamboo massage. Nestled amongst swaying palms fringing a private beach, Peppers Palm Bay is an intimate Whitsundays retreat of just 24 secluded cabins, bures, bungalows and suites. www.peppers.com.au/palm-bay

Whitsunday Rent A Yacht has expanded its fleet of bare boats to increase the level of luxury couples, families and groups can experience on their own sailing holiday. Two brand new designs, the Beneteau Lagoon 380 and a Hyland 35ft motor cruiser, as well as more of the popular Beneteau Lagoon 420 and Perry 43 and two more Seawind 1160s have recently been added to the fleet. www.whitsundayrentayacht.com.au

The Boathaven Spa Resort at Airlie Beach has a new package specially tailored for dive enthusiasts. Learn to Dive and Advanced Dive packages are now available, complete with accommodation, storage for dive tanks and equipment, wetsuit drying spaces, free WiFi access to do online dive training, and plenty more dive-friendly options www.boathavenresort.com.au/diving

For general holiday information on the Whitsundays, visit www.thewhitsundays.com.au